Ruth Edna (Haffer) Thomas

Ruth Edna Thomas, nee Haffer, of St. Louis, Missouri passed away Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 101 years and 8 days. She was born February 16, 1924 in Steelville, Missouri to William Haffer and Ida Matchell Haffer.

On March 20, 1940, she was united in marriage to Earl Elwood Thomas and to this union one son and one daughter were born.

Ruth was a member of the Fourth Baptist Church in St. Louis for years and then later transferred to Maplewood Baptist Church where she faithfully attended until a few years ago when her health prevented her attendance.

She retired from Carter Carburetor in St. Louis with a 30 year record of employment. After retirement, she continued making quilts, which many were hand quilted and machine quilted. She loved making and showing them and giving many of the quilts to family and friends.

Ruth took classes in flower arranging and cake decorating and loved to take flowers and cakes to special parties of family and friends through the years.

She had few regrets, but the last 4 years in particular, she regreted not being able to visit family and friends around Steelville. However, her greatest regret was not being able to visit her husband’s grave near Viburnum, MO.

After her 100th birthday, she said repeatedly, “I made 100 and now I want to see 101.” Her family celebrated with her one week late this year for her 101st birthday and on that day, she smiled and said, “I made it.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Elwood Thomas; her parents, W.H. and Ida Haffer; siblings, Hallie (George) McConnell, Archie (Janie) Haffer, Claude (Marple) Haffer, Raymond Haffer, Gladys (Harold) Hammond, Melba (John) Doss, Ruby (Bill)  Barman, Lucille (Kenneth) Jennings; baby sister, Waunita; and brother-in-law, Bob McClain.

Ruth will be sadly missed by her daughter, Norma E. Taylor of St. Louis; her son, Ernie Elwood Thomas of DeSoto, MO; two grandsons, Brian E. Taylor and Clinton Thomas; 3 great-grandsons, Travis “TC” Thomas, Jeremy Thomas and Conan Thomas; one great-great-grandson, Skyler; two great-great-grand-daughters, McKinly and Yuuki; two siblings, Fern McClain of Steelville, MO and Floyd “Bud” (Mary) Haffer of St. James, MO; and a host of nephews, nieces; and friends.

The Family received friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 p.m. on March 1, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Billy Gowers officiating. Memories were shared by her daughter, Norma, and other family members. Special music of "Old Rugged Cross" was sung by Billy Gowers and "Wayfaring Stranger" was sung by Norma Thomas. Other beautiful music of "Nearer My My God to Thee" was sung by Carolyn Turpin, Judy James, Jerry Cooper and Norma Taylor.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Czar Cemetery, Viburnum, MO. Special music of "Amazing Grace" was sung by Billy Gowers and reading of The Lord's Prayer.

Honored to be casket bearers were Brian Taylor, Richard Vinton, Skyler Thomas, Travis "TC" Thomas, Gary Gowers and Jeremy Thomas.

The Thomas Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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